GRAMMAR

USED TO, BE USED TO & GET/ BECOME USED TO

1. USED TO + infinitive (Solía…)

a) It refers to a habit in the past that you did for a long time but you don’t do it anymore. It
is used only in the past simple.
- Affirmative sentence = He used to walk to work when he was younger. (Solía ir
caminando al trabajo cuando era más joven.)
- Negative = He didn’t use to walk to work when he was younger.
- Interrogative = Did he use to walk to work when he was younger? Yes, he did./ no,
he didn’t.

b) Past states that existed in the past but don’t exist now. They are expressed using
stative verbs (like, love, hate, be, have, know, own…).
I used to like The Beatles but now I never listen to them
She used to have long hair but nowadays her hair is very short

2) BE USED TO + Verb –ing or noun (Estar acostumbrado a…)

a) It refers to something you are accustomed to; if you are used to something, you have
often done it or experienced it, so it’s not strange, new or difficult for you. It can be
used in all tenses.
- Affirmative = I am used to getting up early in the morning (-ing form) (Estoy
acostumbrado a levantarme temprano por la mañana.)
He is used to loud noises (noun) (Él está acostumbrado a los ruidos
altos.)
- Negative = I am not used to getting up early in the morning.
He isn’t used to loud noises
- Interrogative = Are you used to getting up early in the morning?
Is he used to loud noises?

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3) GET/ BECOME USED TO + Verb- ing or Noun (Acostumbrarse a…)

a) To become accustomed to something. It is the process of becoming accustomed to

something. It can be used in all tenses.
Affirmative = After a while he didn’t mind the noise in the office; he got used to it
(-ing form) (Después de un tiempo, a él no le importaba el ruido de la
oficina; se acostumbró a ello.)
You will get used to your new mattress. (noun) (Te acostumbrarás a tu
nuevo colchón.)
Negative = He didn’t get used to it. / You won’t get used to your new mattress.
Interrogative = Did he get used to it? / Will you get used to your new mattress?

WORKSHEET

1) Write USED TO, BE USED TO or GET USED TO in the spaces provided. Make sure
you use the correct verb tense.
1. When I was a teenager I ……………………….... dress up for Halloween, but not anymore.
2. At first I was really nervous about driving in Vancouver, but now I ...................………. to it.
3. I don't think I'll ever ……………………..… to the rain in Vancouver.
4. Mike is Chinese. He is not …………………..…… speaking English in the office.
5. The smell of fish is awful, but you'll ……….……… it after a couple of months in the job.
6. There are some things in this life that you'll never ……………..………… to.
7. It will take a while for the office staff to ……………….… the new computer software.
8. Two years ago, the students …………………… have four hours a week of language
lessons, but now they have three hours.
9. She ………………………..……… to hard work. She grew up in a very poor family.
10. My children………………..……… to eating hamburgers, but I don't think I'll ever ………
……… to eating them.
11. People from Africa …………….……… to hot weather because of the dry and hot climate
there.
12. I wasn't happy about working the evening shift but I have…………………….. to it now.
13. When I was starting to write, I ………..………… think I would never be as good as
Margaret Atwood.
14. Mr. Blundell ……………….. do lots of interviews when he was the mayor of Vancouver.
15. He never ………….……….. to flying a helicopter, even after years of working as a co-
pilot.

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2) Translate the following sentences:
1. Estoy acostumbrado a cocinar.
…………………………………………………………………………………………...……………….
2. Veía la televisión por la noche. (Solía ver la televisión por la noche)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3. Me estoy acostumbrando a usar mi nuevo móvil.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………...……
4. Él está acostumbrado a trabajar por la noche.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..………..
5. ¿Jugabas con los niños? (¿Solías jugar con los niños?):
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..………..
6. Me acostumbré a viajar.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………